From the Heart of the Sanctuary | | |
As we welcome a new year, we find ourselves pausing, just for a moment, to reflect on all that the past year held for the Center for Great Apes. It was a year of steady progress, meaningful moments, and quiet victories that don’t always make headlines but matter deeply to the orangutans and chimpanzees who call the sanctuary home.
Thanks to the dedication of our caregivers, volunteers, and the loyal support of friends like you, 70 remarkable apes continued to receive the lifelong care they deserve, care rooted in respect, patience, and choice. We navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and never lost sight of why this sanctuary exists: to provide a safe, dignified home for apes who had nowhere else to go.
Looking Ahead to the Year Before Us
The year ahead brings renewed focus and fresh opportunities. We are looking forward to continued habitat improvements, expanded enrichment programs, thoughtful introductions between compatible chimpanzees, and ongoing support for our aging residents who require specialized care.
We also look forward to welcoming our members and supporters to special events, sharing more behind-the-scenes stories, and continuing the day-to-day work that supports each ape’s physical, emotional, and social well-being.
| | Jethro Finds His Confidence | | |
Today is Introvert Day, and it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on Jethro’s journey, one that reminds us there is no rush when it comes to finding your place in the world.
When Jethro arrived at the Center for Great Apes in 2017, he was a quiet, reserved orangutan. He tended to keep to himself and showed little interest in the furniture and enrichment pieces placed throughout his habitat. While others climbed, rearranged, or experimented with their surroundings, Jethro preferred a simpler routine, watching from the sidelines and settling into familiar spaces.
Everything began to shift after he started living alongside Sandra.
Sandra is rarely without a project. Whether she’s rearranging furniture, experimenting with new nesting spots, or simply staying busy with playful determination, her curiosity is contagious. Day by day, Jethro began to observe... and then participate. Slowly, his confidence grew.
Today, Jethro is building more elaborate nests and making creative use of his environment. He gathers materials thoughtfully, selects new spots to settle, and, as this photo shows, sometimes chooses a tub as the perfect place to curl up and relax. Snug, content, and clearly at ease, he now approaches his habitat with curiosity instead of hesitation.
Jethro’s journey is a gentle reminder of what sanctuary life makes possible. Given time, safety, and the companionship of others, even the quietest souls can come into their own, finding comfort, creativity, and confidence in their own way.
| | CGA T-Shirt Design Contest | |
Calling All Creative Minds: CGA T-Shirt Design Contest Is Open!
We’re kicking off the new year with something fun and creative—our first Graphic Design Contest of the year!
We’re on the hunt for a brand-new T-shirt design to debut at our upcoming Annual Member Day, featuring two very special residents: orangutans Sandra and Jethro. If you love design, illustration, or simply have a creative spark, this is your chance to leave your mark on Center for Great Apes history!
Contest Dates:
The contest runs now through Saturday, January 31st.
All designs must be submitted by 5:00 PM on January 31st to qualify.
How to Enter:
What’s in It for You?
If your design is selected and printed, you’ll receive:
- A year-long Great Ape Hero Membership (valued at $350)
- Four tickets to our two exclusive Member Events
- A private tour of the sanctuary for up to four people, where you’ll get to meet Sandra and Jethro
- And, of course, a T-shirt featuring your winning design!
More Ideas? Send Them!
Have additional graphic ideas inspired by orangutans, chimpanzees, the Center for Great Apes, or specific CGA residents? We’d love to see them! Submit those designs as well, and, if featured, they could also earn you a Great Ape Hero Membership.
This is your chance to celebrate the apes you love, support the sanctuary’s mission, and show off your creativity in a big way. We can’t wait to see what you dream up!
Let the designing begin!
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As we begin the new year, we want to share an important reminder about Center for Great Apes memberships.
- Memberships have shifted to a January–December calendar year
- Renewals are due by the end of January
- Membership contributions must be designated as membership gifts to apply toward membership status. General donations, while deeply appreciated, are directed to ape care and do not count toward membership.
Later this month, we will send our annual Membership Drive and renewal notices, making it easy to renew or join and ensure your membership remains current for the year ahead.
As a special thank-you, members who renew early, or join before the renewal notices go out, will receive a commemorative Center for Great Apes member magnet, a small but meaningful way to proudly display your support and let others know you are part of the Center for Great Apes family.
Membership Levels & Benefits
We offer several membership levels so you can choose the one that best fits your passion for the apes and your connection to the sanctuary:
Individual – $75
Receive our electronic newsletters, member updates, and a ticket for our member events.
Couple – $125
Receive our electronic newsletters, member updates, and two tickets for our member events.
Family – $150
Receive our electronic newsletters, member updates, and four tickets for our member events.
Great Ape Hero Family – $350
All Family benefits, plus the opportunity to schedule a private guided tour of the sanctuary for up to four people (by appointment), offering a more personal look at the lives of the orangutans and chimpanzees in our care.
Membership support plays a vital role in sustaining the sanctuary. It helps us plan responsibly, provide consistent care, and continue offering meaningful opportunities for members to stay connected to the apes and the work being done on their behalf.
If you’ve already renewed, thank you. Your continued commitment means so much. If not, we invite you to renew or join before the end of the month and begin the year knowing you are making a lasting difference for the extraordinary individuals who call the Center for Great Apes home.
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Become a 2026 Day Sponsor and have the opportunity to help provide birthday/anniversary enrichment and special treats as well as
sponsoring the day's diet and care for your chosen ape.
Click below to see who still needs a Day Sponsor!
| | Other Ways To Help the Apes | | | | |
